Asian/Pacific AIDS Coalition records, 1987-1995
Online content
Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Asian/Pacific AIDS Coalition
- Abstract:
- Extent:
- 3.8 linear feet (2 manuscript boxes, 3 cartons)
- Language:
- Preferred citation:
-
Asian/Pacific AIDS Coalition records. GLBT Historical Society
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The materials in this collection outline the origins, development, problems, and decline of A/PAC as an organization. Also found in this collection are files on issues, organizations, events, and public policy specific to AIDS among Asian/Pacific Islanders. The last series contains four significant public policy papers written by Rafael Chang, who was A/PAC's Public Policy Director. The collection is comprised of ten series, based on A/PAC’s organization and structure: Administration, Meetings, Documents, Communications, Development, Grants and Loans, Issues, Organizations, Events, and Public Policy.
- Biographical / historical:
-
The Asian Pacific AIDS Coalition (A/PAC) was originally founded as the Asian AIDS Task Force in 1987. It coalesced to address the gaps in education, prevention, and direct services to Asian and Pacific Islanders affected by HIV that were not being adequately met by the larger, more general AIDS service providers. The Asian AIDS Task Force functioned as an advisory board for the Asian AIDS Project from its founding in 1987 until the two groups ended their partnership in September 1988. The task force then transitioned to become the Asian/Pacific AIDS Coalition in April of 1989. A/PAC operated through a membership model to create a network between direct service providers in the API community. The Coalition was composed of five organization members: The Asian AIDS Project, Asian American Communities Against AIDS, Filipino Task Force on AIDS (FTFA), Gay Asian Pacific Alliance's Community HIV Project (GCHP), and Asian Health Services HIV/AIDS Project. Additionally, A/PAC included network members and individual members. Network members consisted of various LGBTQ advocacy groups, API AIDS organizations, community health services and/or civil rights groups both within and beyond the San Francisco Bay Area. Individual members consisted of healthcare and/or service providers, educators and activists. Members played a key role in identifying areas of need, which influenced the creation of programs created by A/PAC. After their creation, these programs were transferred over to the appropriate member agency. Through a series of grant programs, A/PAC also acted as a significant funding source for its members as well as non-member groups. The AIDS Walk was a major funding source for A/PAC, which in turn dispersed funds through their Emergency Needs Grants and Grassroots Grants programs. Another major emphasis was in the realm of policy advocacy. The A/PAC Advocacy Committee was active in creating public policy plans, corresponding with elected officials on the local, state, and national levels, drafting and reviewing relevant legislation, attending meetings with governing boards, and developing educational materials in the form of press releases and reports. In the long run, however, the constituent member groups were seldom actively supportive of the Coalition, leaving A/PAC staff feeling isolated and frustrated. During 1994-1995, this ongoing contradiction was discussed repeatedly at Board meetings and retreats. Finally, in August of 1995 a motion to dissolve the organization was passed by the A/PAC Board. The last several months of activity were spent meeting prior obligations, finishing projects, and closing down the office as well as the organization. The Board spent some of their last funds having their records processed by a professional archivist familiar with community-based AIDS organizations, and the resulting collection was placed in the GLBT Historical Society Archives.
- Acquisition information:
- The collection was donated to the GLBT Historical Society by Daniel Toleran in July, 1996.
Indexed terms
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is open for research. Funding for digitizing a portion of this collection was provided by the National Archives' National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). A larger digital collection is available through Gale’s Archives of Sexuality and Gender. Please contact the Archivist for information about access.
- Terms of access:
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Copyright to materials created by Asian/Pacific AIDS Coalition have been transferred to the GLBT Historical Society. All requests for reproductions and/or permission to publish or quote from material must be submitted in writing to the GLBT Historical Society Archivist. Copyright to other materials in the collection may be held by their creators, or the creators' heirs or assigns. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
- Preferred citation:
-
Asian/Pacific AIDS Coalition records. GLBT Historical Society
- Location of this collection:
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989 Market Street, Lower LevelSan Francisco, CA 94103, US
- Contact:
- (415) 777-5455